Chapter 270

Chapter 270

Sabrina hurriedly opened the invitation.

The invitation was real!

She'd personally helped Alexander design these invitations—there was no way she could be mistaken.

This woman really was Nova!

But why was she so close with Charlotte? Could it be because of Declan?

Jealousy and resentment churned in Sabrina's chest.

Charlotte was just too lucky!

Not only did she have Lynn as a mother, but she also had a whole network of people helping her build connections.

At that moment, Alexander also realized the woman before him was Nova.

He quickly pulled Sabrina behind him, then tugged at the hem of his suit jacket and stepped forward politely. "Hello, Nova!"

"I'm Alexander, CEO of the Forbes Group. It's a pleasure to meet you."

The crowd gathered nearby had been watching the drama unfold, but when they suddenly heard Alexander say this long-haired woman was Nova, their excitement reached a fever pitch.

The legendary design genius Nova!

If they hadn't been mindful of the Forbes Group's presence, they probably would have already swarmed forward and blocked the stairway to the VIP lounge.

After all, who wouldn't want to get close to such a talented figure, maybe even find a chance to forge a connection?

"Looks like the Forbes Group has the upper hand after all—they actually got Nova to come."

"Right, even though Charlotte knows Nova, Nova still came for the Forbes Group."

"With Nova backing them, it's hard to say who'll win between the Forbes Group and Zenith Enterprises Group."

Listening to the buzz of conversation, Sabrina couldn't help feeling smug.

So what if Charlotte knew Nova?

The Forbes Group was the one who brought Nova here.

And with Nova present, there was no way Nicole would follow Charlotte up to the VIP lounge.

This round, Charlotte was definitely going to lose.

Sabrina glanced sideways at Charlotte standing by the stairway and gestured toward the woman with a smile.

"Nova, please."

Others around them chimed in.

"Yes, Nova, let's go inside and sit."

"Nova, please."

Everyone eagerly cleared a path to let the long-haired woman into the main hall.

At that moment, Nicole finally couldn't hold back anymore. Just as she was about to step forward to greet Nova, Landon held her back.

"Mom, wait a little longer."

Nicole looked back suspiciously. "You mean she's not Nova?"

Landon smiled but said nothing more.

Nicole remained skeptical but held her ground.

Just when everyone assumed the long-haired woman had come for the Forbes Group, she gave a light scoff, turned, and linked arms with Charlotte. "Charlotte, let's go upstairs."

At those words, everyone in the hall froze.

Had they misunderstood?

Nova came for Charlotte?

And judging by Nova's affectionate manner toward Charlotte, they definitely weren't just casual acquaintances.

Nicole watched this unfold and couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath.

As expected, Landon's judgment had been correct.

Good thing she'd listened and hadn't followed them into the main hall.

Seeing things turn out completely contrary to her expectations, Sabrina felt both anxious and furious.

Her face darkened on the spot. "Nova, have you forgotten your agreement with the Forbes Group?"

The woman paused, as if only just remembering. "You mean that hundred-million-dollar appearance fee?"

"Sorry, we never intended to take it."

Sabrina's face flushed bright red. Just as she was about to say something, Nicole let out a heavy snort in her direction.

"Since when does someone like you get to speak for the Forbes family?"

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

Having been humiliated in public, Sabrina's hatred for Nicole deepened, but she couldn't show it.

So she had no choice but to swallow her anger.

Meanwhile, Nicole had already walked over to the long-haired woman with Landon's support. "Nova, shall we go upstairs?"

The woman looked puzzled.

Charlotte quickly made introductions for her and Declan. "This is Mrs. Nicole Forbes."

"Mrs. Forbes, this is Harper, a partner at Declan's studio."

Harper? Not Nova?

Must be a stage name.

Who would've thought Declan had partnered with Nova? True talent recognizes talent at a young age.

While everyone was still processing this, the group had already made their way up the stairs together.

The sudden turn of events left both Alexander and Sabrina stunned.

As for Cynthia, Elara, Quentin, and the others—they were even more confused about what had just happened.

At that moment, Charlotte, who'd been bringing up the rear, suddenly turned to address the crowd one by one.

"The view's better upstairs, and there's plenty of room. Mr. Walker, Mrs. Walker, and Mrs. Howard—if you don't mind, why don't you all come up and dine with us?"

Truth be told, Maurice and the others had been barely containing themselves.

And now that even Nicole had gone upstairs, they no longer needed to worry about saving face for the Forbes Group.

So Maurice took the lead, and a crowd of guests followed, streaming toward the upper floor.

In an instant, more than half the guests in the main hall had left!

And the heavyweight guests who remained were few and far between.

Alexander looked at the nearly empty hall and almost choked with rage.

He'd poured so much effort into this event, even booking the entire main hall at Grand Vista Hotel, and gone to such lengths to invite Nova. Yet Charlotte had swooped in, stolen his thunder, and taken all the spotlight!

"Alexander, what do we do now?" Cynthia's carefully made-up face crumpled into a frown. "Wasn't Nova supposed to be your guest? How did she end up leaving with Charlotte?"

Alexander stared up at the second floor, eyes narrowing. "Mom, you and Elara stay here and handle things. Sabrina and I are going up."

"Let's see just how capable Charlotte really is!"

With that, he led Sabrina straight upstairs.